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Pittsford Central outlines budget shortfall, cites 2.34% tax-cap and rising health costs
Summary
Officials told the PITTSFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT board that a calculated 2.34% tax cap, rising health-insurance costs and the loss of one-time federal funds have left the district facing a roughly $600,000200,000 budget gap; leaders said they will use reserves, attrition and staffing reviews to close the gap.
The PITTSFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT on Tuesday framed a budget season shaped by a constrained tax cap, higher health-care costs and the expiration of pandemic-era federal funds.
Assistant Business Official Mike Vespe said the districtcalculated its 2025-26 property tax cap at 2.34%, lower than last year, and explained the figure results from the stateformula that starts with the prior-year levy, applies a growth factor, subtracts pilot payments and accounts for debt-service exclusions. "At a 2.34% property tax cap, we can generate about $2,600,000," Vespe said, noting recent building-aid changes and a finished cash-funded project reduced the district's available exclusion.
Why it matters: The combination of a lower-than-expected tax cap and inflation means Pittsford has less revenue flexibility while operating costs are rising. Superintendent (speaker 1) and Vespe both said health-insurance premium increases are a particular pressure: Vespe and board members referenced a roughly 14% midyear health-insurance increase that materially changed projections. "If the health insurance didn't raise the 14% increase midyear, we would look at a surplus this year," the superintendent said.
The district also faces the planned drop-off of federal pandemic funds that had previously supported programming. Vespe said the district used attrition (retirements) and central-office position reductions to cut roughly $900,000 so far and is planning further staffing evaluations. He told the board the combination of conservative budgeting and stronger-than-forecast interest earnings (about $1.3 million year-to-date) help, but are not enough to close the remaining gap.
District response and next steps: Vespe said the district intends to use an additional $600,000 from reserves this year as a short-term measure, while continuing to pursue legislative advocacy for higher foundation aid and reviewing staffing and BOCES services. He outlined a schedule of meetings and signaled a March budget package and a March 13 final summary ahead of a May public hearing and vote. "We've got to continue to work to close that budget deficit," he said.
The board and administration emphasized they will prioritize student achievement and well-being when considering reductions, and indicated long-range facilities planning and careful debt-service timing are tools to manage future tax-cap impacts. The districtsaid it will monitor legislative changes to foundation aid and transportation aid and report back in upcoming workshops.
Ending: The board scheduled additional budget work sessions in March and reiterated that any use of reserves is a short-term tactic while they pursue structural adjustments and further legislative support.
